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Minn. State Patrol to disband motorcycle unit, put Harleys up for auction

ST. PAUL — State troopers will no longer patrol Minnesota highways on motorcycle.

The Minnesota State Patrol is disbanding its motorcycle patrol program and putting the unit's five Harley-Davidson cycles up for auction.

State Patrol chief, Col. Kevin Daly, says the patrol decided not to put motorcycles on the road this year because of increased training costs, concern for trooper safety, and a lack of interest from troopers.

After a nearly 60-year hiatus, the patrol revived the motorcycle unit in 2007 with five troopers.

The patrol will offer its five 2008 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide 100 Anniversary Police edition motorcycles in separate auctions. The first motorcycle will be sold in a live auction Saturday in Arden Hills. The remaining bikes will be sold online.